Arizona’s senators help confirm Tucson judge to federal bench
May 19, 2020, 5:30 PM | Updated: 7:47 pm
Judge Scott Rash and Sen. Martha McSally (Martha McSally Photo)
(Martha McSally Photo)
PHOENIX – An Arizona Superior Court judge was confirmed to a federal bench position Tuesday, earning the approval of the state’s two U.S. senators.
The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s appointment of Pima County Superior Court Judge Scott Rash as a U.S. District Court judge for Arizona by a 74-20 margin.
“Judge Rash is widely respected in the Tucson legal community, and though he will be greatly missed at the Pima County Superior Court, he will be a great asset to Arizona’s District Court,” Republican Sen. Martha McSally said in a press release after the vote.
“His confirmation is good news for Arizonans seeking justice.”
In December, McSally introduced Rash at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to consider his nomination.
The committee formally endorsed him in January.
Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema issued a statement Monday saying she would vote to confirm Rash:
“As Arizona’s senior senator, I evaluate every nominee based on whether he or she is professionally qualified, believes in the role of an independent judiciary, and can be trusted to faithfully interpret and uphold the rule of law. After reviewing his qualifications, I believe Judge Rash meets these criteria, and I am glad he will fill one of Arizona’s judicial vacancies.”
Trump nominated Rash in September to fill a vacancy created in April 2018 by Judge Cindy Jorgenson’s shift to senior status.
Then-Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer appointed Rash as a Superior Court judge in 2010. He previously worked in private practice with a Tucson law firm and before that as an Arizona assistant attorney general.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
